DISTRIBUTION OPERATOR - ASSOC - STAFF

COMPANY OVERVIEW 

El Paso Electric (EPE) is a regional energy provider that is engaged in generation, transmission, and distribution service to power approximately 460,000 customers in a 10,000-square mile area of the Rio Grande valley in west Texas and southern New Mexico.  We invite you to visit epelectric.com to learn more about EPE and our strategic initiatives. Join our EPE Team and TOGETHER we will transform the energy landscape.  

DATE POSTED: 02/27/25            CLOSING DATE:  03/13/25

GRADE LEVEL:  52-53

DEPARTMENT: Dist Design Const & Maint  

STARTING SALARY: $68,700 - $106,000    Salary is commensurate with experience.  

JOB FAMILY SUMMARY PURPOSE:

Under the general supervision of the Supervisor of Distribution Operations is responsible for the safe, efficient, and reliable DMS/OMS (Distribution Management System) operation of EPE’s distribution system (120v to 24kv).  Responsible for operating, tracking/documenting field personnel to safely restore customer load, isolate equipment for maintenance and daily work.  Review, track/monitor distribution switching procedures. Responsible for the oversight and operation of feeder taps/laterals of the Distribution System.  Document all outage and trouble information accordingly.  Utilize DMS/EMS (Energy Management System) to monitor current system conditions and feeder loadings. Document all temporary and permanent field changes accordingly in the DMS.  Assist field crews and System Operations with restoration/troubleshooting efforts of the Distribution System.  Report all permanent field changes to the GIS (Geographic Information System) department.  Will be required to perform Dispatcher roles such as initial evaluation of incoming outage information, dispatching outages, dispatching of trouble calls, verifying customer account status for reconnects, interact with customers directly, calling out resources and answering phone calls.

 Successful candidates will be required to remain in the Distribution Operator position for two (2) years prior to applying/being considered for any other positions within El Paso Electric.

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate with or without a reasonable accommodation that the essential functions of the job can be performed. 

EDUCATION: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering; or an equivalent combination of related education, training and experience in Utility Operations, with Distribution Operations preferred.

EXPERIENCE: 

• 0-3 years or more experience.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

1. Knowledge of electrical principles and components, including but not limited to alternating current circuits and electrical safety.
2. knowledge of power system operations including power distribution operations preferred.
3. Experience in utility outage management preferred.
4. Ability to utilize SCADA for situational awareness (monitoring) of the Distribution System.
5. Ability to review, document and write distribution operations switching procedures.
6. Ability to monitor, interpret and apply control system and power system principles rationally to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
7. Ability to make decisions with time restraints.
8. Working knowledge in the use of personal computers, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word), Google Mapping and ability to learn specialized software applications, such as customer information systems.
9. Ability to understand current distribution circuit loading conditions and respond accordingly to loss of distribution circuits and substation transformers.
10. Ability to work twelve-hour rotating shifts (including holidays, nights, irregular hours, over time) and respond to emergencies after hours as required.
11. Ability to adapt to changing department procedures, techniques, tools, material and software
12. Ability to work alone/un-guided as needed.
13. Ability to travel for training, seminars, and to represent EPE at industry-related meetings.
14. Ability to complete a week of field cross training annually.
15. Effective verbal and written communication skills.
16. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with officers, managers, fellow employees, and the general public.
17. Ability to maintain a strong sense of propriety concerning confidential matters.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  

1. Utilize/operate the DMS/EMS, telephone, radio and other system software.
2. Monitor Energy Management System (EMS) for distribution feeder configuration, status and loadings.
3. Provide technical support for field crews, Distribution Operators, Distribution Engineers and System Operators during outage and trouble situations.
4. Determine/calculate equipment loadings based on field measurements and nameplate ratings.
5. Follow all safety protocols and assist crews to maintain a safe work environment, to include but not limited to monitoring line/equipment holds/tags.
6. Read and interpret distribution system and substation onelines.
7. Provide lead role to other Distribution Operators, such as orient, train assign and check the work of less senior team mates.
8. Give direction to field personnel utilizing radio and phone communications
9. Directly interact with System Operations during feeder and transformer lockouts.
10. Review, document and manage complicated distribution trouble and outage situations, including but not limited to, providing detailed breakdowns for feeder lockouts, updating the DMS schematic and emailing management with outage information.
11. Participate in rotational training assignments with Distribution Engineering, Distribution Crews and System Operations. This includes loading and unloading of tools and materials, use of personal protective equipment, and job shadowing of field personnel.
12. Utilize the Capacitor bank system to safely and reliably operate Distribution Capacitor banks.
13. Update information of any significant system events to appropriate recipients using EPE’s paging system.
14. Upon successful completion of the introductory development program, the incumbent will be expected to have the skills to work alone.
15. Track Distribution System capital projects by using Work Manager software and reviewing construction design maps, for proper DMS Distribution System model mapping/updating.
16. Assist with the troubleshooting of the DMS Distribution System Model (including GIS).
17. Regularly perform Dispatcher roles such as initial evaluation of incoming outage information, dispatching outages, dispatching of trouble calls, verifying customer account status for reconnects, interact with customers directly, calling out resources, answering phone calls, create referrals for follow up work and be the single point of contact for Distribution Operations.
18. Valid driver’s license and be in compliance with the Company’s Driving Program policy.
19. Complies with all applicable Company policies, procedures and code of ethics as well as all applicable governmental laws and regulations to include employment, safety and environmental standards and regulations.
20. Perform other related tasks that are not included, but are within the context of the duties defined.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

1. The incumbents in this classification are not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions; primary work environment is typically of an office or administrative nature.
2. May work non-standard hours.
3. May require travel to Company work sites.
4. May require out of town travel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:   

1. Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. This position will require sitting most of the time.
2. Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arms(s) in any direction.
3. Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks.
4. Standing
5. Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
6. Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; those activities in which detailed or important spoken instructions must be conveyed to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
7. Hearing: Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
8. Repetitive motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
9. Visual acuity: Color, depth perception and field of vision to include measurement devices for close inspection and analysis of data, figures and graphs, accounting, transcription, computer terminal, paper schematics, telephone and dispatching radio.

If interested in applying for this position, you must apply on-line by 5:00 PM, March 13, 2025.  (Please scroll back up to the “Apply Now” button)  

Salary : $68,700 - $106,000